How to Join and Set Up Tinder

Last Updated: May 4, 2017 - 8:18 EDT

Now that you've downloaded and installed Tinder, it's time to get you prepared for searching for and communicating with your matches! This tutorial will walk you through the setup work required to start using Tinder.

To set up Tinder, you’ll need to create an account by logging in through Facebook and deciding which details to import to your Tinder profile. You will also need to verify your phone number. Then, you'll need to manually add any other details that you want to your profile, including additional photos.

The setup process is much simpler than it is on eHarmony.com or Match.com, which both require you to fill out long questionnaires before you can fine-tune your profile.

Creating a Tinder account

To sign up for Tinder, you'll need to create a Facebook account first. Then, log into Tinder using your Facebook account credentials, and select what details you want to import from Facebook to your Tinder profile. The last step is to verify your phone number by inputting a code from a text message.

Want to see how that actually works? Of course you do. Here are detailed instructions for how to join the popular dating app.

Find the Tinder app in your mobile device's application manager, and tap it to open it.

Once Tinder starts up, tap Sign In with Facebook.

In the window that pops up, tap the box labelled "Email or Phone" and use your device's (virtual) keyboard to type in the email address or phone number associated with your Facebook account. Then, tap in the box labelled "Facebook Password" and type in the password that you use to protect your Facebook account. Then tap Log In.

If you don't have a Facebook account, tap Create Account and follow the directions from step 2 onwards in our how to create a Facebook account tutorial. Then come back here and complete this step.

You will now have to select which details from your Facebook account you wish to import to your account. Tap Edit This to see a list of things that Tinder can import about you. Tap the checkmark beside an item to stop it from being imported, or — if there is no checkmark beside the item — tap beside the item to select it for import.

You can also tap Clear to deselect all non-required details for import, or tap Reset to select all available details for import (if you've deselected any). When you're done, tap Continue.

You will now need to verify your phone number for Tinder. Tap the top box and select the country that you live in (for country code purposes). Then, tap the bottom box and use your device's (virtual) keyboard to type in your phone number. Then tap Request Code.

Tinder should send a text message to your mobile phone. Go read it, and then come back to Tinder. Tap the box that says "Enter Code" and use your device's keyboard to type in the six-digit code that came with the text message. Then tap Confirm.

If you didn't get a text message, or you deleted it by accident, tap Resend Code.

That wraps up the process for creating your account; you're all set to use it!

How to edit your Tinder profile and upload photos

Before you jump right into trying to find matches on Tinder, you should take some time to fill out your profile, including filling in your personal details and selecting your profile photos. This will make it easier for the app to find potential matches who might be more compatible with you, and it will likely make a better first impression on any potential matches who view your profile.

To edit your Tinder profile, you'll have to tap the "menu" icon, tap View Profile, and then tap the pencil icon on your profile page. From there, you can add a short bio, change your gender, or add and delete photos. All other changes to your information have to be made through Facebook.

To upload photos to Tinder, go to your profile-editing screen and tap the "+" icon beside an empty photo slot. Then, select whether you want to upload the photo from your device or Facebook, and then find and tap the photo to select it. From there, crop the photo, and then tap Upload Photo.

Both of these actions are somewhat related, so we've created a single walkthrough that covers both of them together. Specific instructions for adding photos to Tinder start at step 6.

Launch the app on your mobile device and log into it. (If you need help remembering how to do that, see steps 1 through 3 in the "How to Create a Tinder Account" section above.)

Once you're on your main screen, tap the three bars (the "menu" icon) in the top-left corner. (On iOS devices, this icon will be represented by a gear instead.)

A sidebar will appear containing the main menu options. Tap View Profile at the top.

Once you're on your profile page, tap the pencil icon in the top-right corner to edit your profile.

From here, you can tap in the box labelled "About [Your Name]" and use your device's keyboard to type in a short description of yourself. This description can be up to 500 characters long; the number in the bottom-right corner of the box will show how many you have remaining. You can also tap the buttons under "Gender" to change whether you're designated as male or female.

All other changes here — such as to your current employer or place of education — will have to be made through your Facebook account. See this help article on Facebook for instructions on changing your Facebook account's basic information.

You can have up to six photos on your Tinder profile. To delete a photo that you no longer want, tap the "X" icon in the bottom-right corner of the photo. If you'd like to add a photo instead, tap the "+" icon in the bottom-right corner of an empty photo slot.

You will now have to choose where you want to upload your photo from: your device's internal memory ("Gallery"), or your Facebook account. Tap your selection, and then tap through the sub-categories until you find the photo you want to upload, and tap it.

Once you've selected a photo, you will need to crop it. Tap and hold your finger inside the crop box (marked by the blue outline), and then move it around the screen to select the area of the photo that you wish to use. You can also tap and hold your finger on the edges of the crop box, and then move your finger back and forth to enlarge or contract the crop box.

When the area of the photo that you wish to use is completely inside the crop box, tap Upload Photo to add it to your Tinder profile.

Alright! Your account and profile are all set! Now, our next lesson will show you how to actually look for matches on Tinder!